Joel mcoombee



J. MQGOMBER. SPINAL DISTORTION APPARATUS.

(No Model.)

Paten'ted Se t. 13,1887.

fan

llNrTnn STATES PATENT Trice.

JOEL MCOOMBER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

SPINAL DISTORTION APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 369,803, datedSeptember 13, 1887.

Application filed May 23, 1887. Serial No. 239,053. (No model.)

To aZZ whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOEL MOCOMBER, of the city, county, and State of NewYork, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inSpinal-Distortion Apparatus, of which the following is a full, clear,and exact descrip tion, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings, illustrating the same.

This invention relates to that class of surgical appliances that areemployed to reduce spinal curvature and to restore the spine, shoulders,and other affected parts of the body to their normal condition.

The present invention consists of a new and improved pressure-applyingspring apparatus which, by its simplicity of structure and adjustabilityin application, is adapted to correct spinal curvature and accompanyingor similar displacementsin the quickest and most effective manner.

I will now proceed to describe the special form of apparatus that I havechosen to illustrat'e my invention and explain how this particular formcan be modified.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the apparatus as constructed andadjusted for use to reduce an outward curvature of the spine. Fig. 2shows the same in side elevation as applied to the body of a man, thedotted lines representing the position of the parts before the apparatusis strapped down. Fig. 3 shows a rear view of the same; and Fig. 4 showsa plan view of the pelvic parts of the apparatus as they are while uponthe perso'nthat is, this View represents what may be termed a section ofa mans figure having the apparatus secured thereto, the section beingtaken just above the hips.

Referring to the views in detail, A and 13 represent two flat metallicback springs secured to a broad hip-spring, 0. These springs A and B aremade of any suitable material, being preferably broader at their lowerends than at their top ends. They are secured to the hip spring 0 by anysuitable means-as the rivets D-and may be adj ustably secured thereto soas to be variously positioned thereon, as required by the demands ofdifferent cases. This hip-spring is constructed of thin sheet metal, andis curved so as to partially approximate to the form of the back of awearer. It is also bent over at its upper end corners, E, so as to curveinwardly over the top of the hip-bones. The back-springs are crossed, asshown, and at their point of crossing are secured together by a screw,F, which is adapted to be removed, if required to change or adjust thispoint of crossing, either in a vertical orlateral direction. A pad, G,may

be attached at this point to bear directly upon the part to be treatedand to cushion the springs. The top of the back -springs are Irepresentsabroad abdominal belt attached to the ends of the hipspring. This beltmay be in two parts, as shown, or in one part, and is provided withbuckles or other suitable fastening devices for securing the belt aroundthe person.

J are button-loops by which the trousers of the wearer may be supported;or these loops may be otherwise arranged to support any other article ofwear.

Fig. 2 shows an outward spinal curvature or protrusion and how theapparatus is applied thereto to reduce the same. The arms are passedthrough the loops formed by the back springs and the shoulder -straps,the backsprings passing just over the outer ends of the shoulders, asseen in Fig. 3. The lower part of the apparatus will new spring from thebody, about as seen in dotted lines in Fig. 2. The abdominal belt willnow be secured around the person and the backsprings will thereby bebent inwardlynvhile the broad hip-spring will be bent to a formsubstantially that ofthe person, thereby causingthe back-springs to bearwith an elastic lever-like action upon the protruding part as a fulcrum.By these means an elastic or yielding leverage pressure is eX- ertedupon the protuberant portion ofthe spine, that can be made to act byadjustment with more orless force, as the case may require. At

the same time it will be observed that the upper portion of the trunk isfree to move, being unconfined or Wrapped in with bandages or straps.Also, the shoulders, which in this kind of troubles are always bentforward, are subjected to a leverage pressure constantly acting to throwthem back, and,if deflected, to

lift them into position and thereby expand" and round out the shrunkenchest or lung portions of the body; and, furthermore, the abdomen, whichalso protrudes, is subjected to a gentle and sustaining compression,which lifts its contents and relieves the walls thereof from unduestrain, thus permitting the muscles to contract and regain their normalplace and tone.

In thislatter connection it is to be specially noted that the broadhipspring sustains an important function. Usually in similar apparatusfor this kind of treatment it is the practice'to employ bands or beltssurrounding the waist and located above the hip; but these really tendto still further extend the abdominal protrusion,as they bind in themuscles of the Waist and by compression at that place press down anddisplace the pelvic contents.

v The waist should be absolutely unrestricted in treating this class ofdistortion cases, so that the displaced pelvic contents can be raised totheir natural position in the trunk. This is accomplished by myapparatus, the broad abdominal belt being low enough to sustain and liftthe pelvic contents, and-there being no constriction at the waist toprevent their return to their natural position. To this end thehip-spring is shaped as described and passes around to or near the frontof the hip-bones, Fig. 2, so that the compression applied to the wallsof the abdomen is not exerted upon the hips, and leaves them free tomove unrestrained in any direction, Fig. 4. The compression applied tothe abdominal parts, therefore, is exerted only on the soft yieldingwalls thereof, and not upon or so as to impede or confine the waist orhips. This hip-spring is admirably adapted also to reduce abdominalprotrusion, whether accompanied by spinal distortion or not, in whichcase the back-springs may be used, (which, indeed, would be the bestmethod,) or some other support therefor may be employed. It is alsoadapted to treating the special diseases of women, and generally alltroubles of abdominal displacements or weakness.

In the case of other forms of curvature the back-springs would beadjusted to cross at a point more to one side of or above or below theplace of crossing shown in Fig. 1, and the springs would be shortened orlengthened or made longer, one or both, as the position of the shouldersand the locality of the curvature might demand. So, too, for specialcases other parts may be added to this structure; but this structurewould, however, constitute the basic or essential part of suchapparatus. Thus the hip -spring is particularly well adapted to serve asthe foundation-support for crutch devices or mechanism for applying toeither or both shoulders a lifting or elevating pressure, and otherbraces or sustainingparts may be added to the apparatus. to extend orlocalize its action; but in all such cases the apparatus here shown andits general operation would be but modified without changing theprinciple of the invention.

It will be obvious that the parts composing this apparatus may be andusually would be provided with some suitable textile or leather coveringto protect the person of the wearer from cont-act with the metal parts.

What is claimed as new is- 1. In a spinal-distortion apparatus, thecombination, with a hip-spring secured upon the back parts of the hips,of two back-springs attached to said hipspring and crossing each otherover or adajcent the curvature and extending to and secured upon theshoulders.

2. In combination, the hip-spring G, bent as shown at E, to extendinwardly over the hip-bones and provided with the belt I, theback-springs A and B, the pad G, and the shoulders-straps H, combinedsubstantially as set forth.

JOEL MOOOMBER.

Witnesses:

J ANDINE LYNG, ROBL; F. GAYLORD.

